Questions and Answers about our Two-Year-Olds Program

Is Poko Loko Licensed?

Yes. All Poko Loko Early Learning Centers are fully licensed and have been since their inception in 1965.

Does Poko Loko accept part-time Two-Year-Olds?

Yes. Children from 15 months through Kindergarten can be either full-time or part-time; part-time enrollment includes part-time by whole day or by morning only. Whole day hours include any time between 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., while mornings include any time between 6:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Morning hours include our preschool activities and meals including lunch. Please ask our directors what days are available.

Is the staff qualified and educated?

Yes. To be a teacher, one must have at least two years of college and six credits of early childhood education. To be a teacher’s aide, one must have at least a high school diploma. All of our teachers and aides meet or exceed these requirements. In addition to education, a very important qualification is experience. Our staff is very experienced, and we have very low turnover.

How does Poko Loko prepare for an emergency?

Poko Loko administers a monthly fire drill during which the entire school is evacuated. We also run two tornado drills a year. These drills are performed in order to prepare both our staff and our children for an emergency. In addition, our center is linked to the fire department so if an alarm goes off, the fire department is immediately notified and deployed.

What does Poko Loko do in case of an emergency?

We immediately call 911, perform necessary 1st aid/CPR, and comfort the child. Then we call the parents to let them know about the situation. When emergency help arrives, we follow their instructions.

What are Poko Loko’s ratios?

Our two-year-old ratio is one teacher per eight children.

How will Poko Loko transition my child as she grows up?

Periodically throughout the year children will move up to an older room. The children are usually eager for this move because they are going to a new room that is stimulating and exciting. Their curriculum is getting more challenging, and they will be encouraged to learn and try new things. To help with this change, Poko Loko will let the child visit the new room before she moves. Parents will also be informed of this move and will be asked to sign a Transition form.

Where do Two-Year-Olds sleep at naptime?

Our children take their naps on cots. Each child has his own cot with a
blanket and sheet that is washed at least once a week. If two part-time
children share a cot, the linens and cot are washed between uses.

Does Poko Loko provide daily information sheets to parents?

Our children ages two and up do not go home with information sheets
about their individual days. Parents are encouraged to talk to their child’s
teacher about their child’s day. If there is a special concern such as potty
training, parents should consult with the teacher about any information they
would like to have tracked during the day.

Will my Two-Year-Old have a set schedule?

Yes. As two-year-olds, the children are introduced to a preschool schedule
that is modified to be appropriate for their young age. Every morning the
children have their preschool activities; these include story time, circle time,
music time, etc. Each child also completes a project; the projects include
finger painting, easel painting, bingo markers, coloring, etc. Throughout the
day, the children have structured play times; activities during these times
include playing with small manipulatives, large manipulatives, dramatic play,
reading books, etc. The children eat breakfast, two snacks, and lunch
together, and they all nap at the same time.
Every month the parents receive the curriculum that their child’s class is
following. The curriculum includes the special subjects the children are
learning and any special projects they will complete as well as our special
songs, books, and activities.

What will my child eat?

Poko Loko provides a hot and nutritious breakfast prepared by our chef for children who are at the center by 8:00 a.m. The children are fed a snack at about 10:00 a.m. and then again after naptime. Snacks may include fresh fruit, yogurt, cheese and crackers, etc., and milk or juice. Children are served a hot, nutritious, delicious lunch every day. Parents may take a copy of our monthly menu to see what we are serving. Please let your child’s teacher know if there is anything your child cannot have.

What do I need to provide for my Two-Year-Old?

Parents are asked to provide diapers and wipes for their own child. We also
ask you to leave a weather-appropriate outfit at the center in case we have to
change your child for any reason. If your child has a special blanket that
comforts him at naptime, please feel free to leave that with us also. Please
label your child’s clothes and special articles with his name.

Can I visit whenever I want?

Poko Loko has an open door policy with parents; parents are welcome at
any time. We just ask that parents keep their child’s comfort in mind. A
fifteen-minute visit with Mommy or Daddy is wonderful, but often our
younger children naturally think that when Mom or Dad comes, this means
they are going home. Please try to consider if this situation would be
difficult for your little one; as stated above, parents are welcome to visit at
any time. Parents can also call to check on their child at any time.
If you need to pick up your child in the middle of the day for a doctor’s
appointment or even for lunch with your coworkers, please just let us know
beforehand so that we may have her ready.

Will my Two-Year-Old get to go outside?

Yes, we have areas for all of our children to play outside. We ask that you
leave your child with appropriate outerwear (including hat and gloves if
needed) so that he is comfortable while outside. During the summer months,
you will be asked to leave a swimsuit or an extra set of clothes so that your
child can participate in water play. In the winter months we ask that they
have appropriate clothing so that the children can play about in the snow.

What happens when my child is sick?

A child must stay home if he has a temperature of 101ºF or above, has
diarrhea, is vomiting, or has an undiagnosed rash. He must also remain at
home if he has been diagnosed with something contagious (chicken pox,
conjunctivitis, etc.). The child may return when he has been fever or
vomiting free for 24 hours or when he is no longer contagious. If he has
conjunctivitis, he may return when he has been on the prescribed eye drops
for 24 hours. When we have a report that a child has something that is
contagious, we will send a note home to the children in his class. Please
remember to keep your child home when sick; this will prevent another child
from getting it, which then might prevent your child from getting it again.
Please also remember how you feel when you are sick; it is very hard on a
young one when he has to put in a full day’s “work” and he is not
feeling well.

What if my child needs medicine?

If your child is on an antibiotic or another medicine and one of the doses
has to be given during the school day, please inform your child’s director and
teacher. You will be asked to complete a short medicine form indicating the
dosage and time the medicine should be administered. All medicine must be
in the original prescription bottle or in the original over the counter bottle.
Please take any medicine home as soon as your child no longer needs it.

What if my child has an allergy?

Parents are asked to keep us informed about any allergies that appear. We
will then post a sign with the child’s picture on it in his classroom so that
caregivers are constantly reminded of this allergy.

What about diapers and wipes?

Parents are asked to provide diapers and wipes for their own child. We will
try to inform you when your supply is running low.

How often will my Two-Year-Old be changed?

Children’s diapers are changed about every two hours. If a child is fussy
or poopy, then he will be changed right away.

What happens when my child is potty training?

Please inform your child’s teacher when you have begun potty training at
home with your child. It is very important that you inform us of your
plans so that we can be consistent with your strategies. For instance, if
you are using pull-ups at home, please bring them in so that we can use
them too. It is important that we know what you are doing at home and
how your child is doing with you so that we can support your child’s
progress at school. Together our efforts will help your child find success.

How does Poko Loko deal with a child that bites?

Biting is one of the most difficult (yet common) situations to deal with
in the younger classrooms. When a young child bites, it is not always out
of aggression; we, as teachers, try to figure out why a child bites and
under what circumstances it is most likely to happen. Some children bite
out of curiosity, some out of frustration, some even bite out of hunger.
Our staff works with the parents of a biter to help stop a child from
biting; we will try to minimize the situations that seem to promote
biting. If the biting continues, measures taken may include asking
the parents to shorten the child’s day or transitioning the child to a
new room.

Does my child need immunizations?

Every parent is asked to keep their child’s immunizations, exams, and tests
up to date; we require that parents provide us with a current medical form
completed by a doctor and keep us informed (in writing) of any updates.
If a child is not able to receive any immunizations at the required age (due
to illness, etc.), we ask that the parents get a note from the doctor
indicating at what age the child will get them. We appreciate the
cooperation of all of our families in this matter. Please remember that
our first concern is for the health and safety of all of our children.

Does Poko Loko accept State Aid from families in need?

There are state agencies that offer financial help to families that meet
their requirements. We will help parents complete any paperwork that is
needed to apply. When a family is approved by the agency, we accept the
payment from the organization. The parents are then responsible for the
difference between our tuition and the amount that the agency pays.
Please talk to one of our directors if you have any questions.

What does Poko Loko do for security?

Poko Loko will only release a child to the child’s parents or someone that
the parents have named as an approved pick-up person. These people
must be included on the registration form, and we ask that the parents
inform us when these people will come. Whenever we do not know or
recognize someone, we will ask to see a picture ID. Please understand that
we are doing this for your child’s safety. In addition to this, the entrance
doors are locked and have a number-coded entry pad. The parents are
given the code when their child starts with us.
All of Poko Loko’s teachers and employees have been fingerprinted and
have had background checks done.